Kenya's deputy president pleads not guilty to crimes against humanity

Sept. 10 - William Ruto, deputy president of Kenya, pleads not guilty to instigating a bloody crackdown after the election in 2007. Nathan Frandino reports.

▲ Hide Transcript

▶ View Transcript

Walking out of the International Criminal Court, Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto appears calm, confident in his case, and even happy.
Ruto has pleaded not guilty to crimes against humanity charges for his alleged role in a post-election bloodbath that killed more than 1,200 people in 2007.
Prosecutors are arguing that Ruto worked with co-conspirators to murder, deport and persecute supporters of rival political parties.
Ruto's lawyer says prosecutors have conducted a flawed investigation.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DEFENCE LAWYER KARIM KHAN SAYING:
"They got the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is a man whose career has been focused on helping the people of Kenya and because of the fraud investigations, the confidence that everybody has got unfortunately in the office of the prosecution, is in jeopardy. But the judges will decide this matter. It is now before them, and we are very content with that."
Outside the courtroom, Ruto's supporters greeted him, singing in solidarity.
Meanwhile, Stephanie Barbour, of the Centre for International Justice at Amnesty International, called the trial an historic moment.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) STEPHANIE BARBOUR, ACTING HEAD OF OFFICE, CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE AT AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, SAYING:
"Today is an extremely historic day for Kenya, and the victims have been long awaiting the opening of proceedings at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Deputy President Ruto is charged with very serious offences under the Rome Statute, crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and forceable population transfer along with his co-accused Joshua arap Sang."
The violence also forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.